Business
Growers must also pay close attention to the costs of doing business on the farm. As costs of inputs such as fuel and fertilizers continue to increase, growers must find new ways to increase efficiency and help consumers understand the value of their products. By keeping costs under control and selling product at a fair price, growers are able to expand the industry in New York.
BUSINESS CATEGORIES
Relevant Event
Leading the Farm Team: Supervisory Skills for New Managers
April 14, 2026 : Session 1: Becoming a Supervisor
April 21, 2026 : Session 2: Improving Performance
April 28, 2026 : Session 3: Managing Conflict
Orchard Video Resources: Winter Webinar Recordings and More
Mike Basedow, Tree Fruit Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Tis the season of webinars! If you're looking for recordings of past tree fruit webinars Cornell ENYCHP has been involved in, they could be in one of a few locations….. we compiled them all into this post for you. Simply click on the webinar title to be taken directly to the recording. We recommend bookmarking this page if you'd like to come back to them in the future, and we will continue to update this listing as new webinars occur.
New York Farm Laborer Overtime Threshold to Decline
Elizabeth Higgins, Team Leader, Business Management Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
New York's state government took another major step toward reducing the farm laborer overtime threshold on September 30, 2022. Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon issued a press release and official order accepting the findings of the Farm Laborer Wage Board report6. The NY State Department of Labor will now begin a rule making process to make the Commissioner's order formally a state regulation, this process will include a 60-day public comment period. This is the conclusion of a long and controversial political process that started with the 2019 passage of the Farm Laborer's Fair Labor Practices Act (FLFLPA) in 2019, and continued through 14 lengthy public meetings and hearings of the wage board.

Upcoming Events
Leading the Farm Team: Supervisory Skills for New Managers
April 14, 2026 : Session 1: Becoming a Supervisor
The transition from working alongside employees to supervising them can be challenging. This session explores the shift from individual contributor to supervisor and the mindset and skills needed to lead a team effectively. Participants will learn about the role of a supervisor, key leadership behaviors, and how to build trust and credibility with employees.
April 21, 2026 : Session 2: Improving Performance
This session will introduce the performance triad—clear expectations, training, and feedback—to support employee success. We will discuss practical communication strategies, how to give constructive feedback, and how supervisors can help employees improve their performance over time.
April 28, 2026 : Session 3: Managing Conflict
Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a professional and respectful workplace. This session covers some of the legal and ethical responsibilities of supervisors and the responsibilities managers have in addressing workplace concerns.
Participants will also explore common sources of workplace conflict, learn to recognize potential biases that can influence management decisions, and discuss practical approaches for addressing difficult situations and resolving conflicts at work.
